Conquering Embodied Carbon Emissions for a Greener Future
Adapting Policy
Breakout 4: 3:10–4:10 p.m.
As greenhouse gas emissions from building energy use continue to fall due to energy code improvements, retrofits, and a lower carbon grid, the importance of tackling embodied carbon emissions from building products will keep rising. Liepa Braciulyte of New Buildings Institute will provide an introduction to embodied carbon and summarize building code proposals that Seattle is considering to require lower-carbon steel and concrete. Jess Harris from City of Seattle, Department of Construction and Inspections, will describe how permit incentives available for new construction can reduce building lifecycle embodied carbon. In addition, Sadie Carlson of Green Canopy NODE will translate emerging policy and embodied carbon research back to practice with a case study for a housing solution that leverages innovative construction techniques to optimize for embodied carbon, operational carbon, and cost. The investigation into the unique design advantages of cross-laminated timber in prefabricated modular construction outlines a systemic approach to decarbonization at scale. Furthermore, Jessica Martinez from DCI Engineers will present strategies that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete such as crafting efficient structural designs and coordinating procurement strategies that minimize carbon through mix design optimization and cement replacement.